Intimacy with the Lifeblood

                  John 15: 1 – 11

Introduction:

 

                                                                                                                                                           

1.     Recognize that God’s focus is on the production of fruit (vv. 1 – 2)

 

 

2.     Remember that our focus should be on abiding in Christ (vv. 3 – 6)

1)    The meaning:

 

2)    The challenge:

 

3)    The need: 

 

3.     Rejoice in the fruit of our abiding in Christ (vv. 7 – 11)

1)    Prayers are answered (v. 7)

 

2)    God is glorified (v. 8)

 

3)    Love is stimulated (vv. 9 – 10)

 

4)    Joy will overflow (v. 11)

 

Conclusion:

            Action                                     Result

            Abiding (v. 1)                             Fruit (v. 2)

            Pruning (v. 2)                             More Fruit (v. 2)

            Continued Abiding (v. 5)              Much Fruit (v. 5)

1)    Are you connected to the Vine?

2)    If you are, what are you doing to stay connected to the Vine?

 

Questions

1.     Have you ever felt far from Christ since becoming a Christian?

       What circumstances made you feel that way?

2.    In what ways have you experienced the Father’s “pruning”?

3.    There are 3 categories of branches described in this passage – those bearing no  

       fruit, those bearing some fruit, and those bearing much fruit. In which category

       would you place yourself and why?

4.     If you’re not bearing much fruit, what is Jesus’ counsel to you in these verses?